Does requesting advice affect my annual membership subscription?

We actively encourage members to contact us for advice to provide peace of mind and to help prevent a concern or problem escalating.

MPS does not use the number of requests for advice as part of its risk assessment of a member. This includes determining their membership subscription.

In exceptional cases, where a request for advice involves facts or circumstances of a highly unusual or unique nature it might trigger a general review of an individual’s risk profile. However, we stress that this would be very unusual.

So, if you want to discuss a medico-legal issue or need advice on how to prevent a concern or problem escalating, please do let us know - we are only a phone call away.

Q

Am I indemnified to undertake the Harmony prenatal test when it is offered privately?

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17 October 2017

Those who are on obstetrics/gynaecology, paediatric and GPs on their current grade can request indemnity for undertaking the Harmony prenatal test provided members ensure:

patients are adequately counselled and consented

patients are appropriately followed up

full records are maintained (including records of the counselling and consent, as well as follow up arrangements).

Q

As a GP, does my indemnity allow me to undertake tongue-tie division procedures?

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17 October 2017

GPs who have full Medical Protection membership can request indemnity for tongue-tie division if:

they have appropriate training and experience

patients/parents are properly informed of the procedure, this includes the risks as well as potential complications, and consent has been obtained before proceeding

it is performed in an appropriate setting. Procedures not carried out in clinical premises must be undertaken in a safe environment with adequate and appropriate facilities.

Q

Does my membership apply to ‘good neighbour acts’?

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16 September 2016

Good neighbour acts generally refer to the professional provision of medical care on a community basis – such as helping out at local sporting or similar planned events.

We do not provide the right to request indemnity for this type of care, unless it is something that we have previously been made aware of, and have therefore included in your membership subscription.

Regardless of whether the medical care you provide is on a paid for or voluntary basis, you are still at risk of a claim or complaint being made against you, and as such, you need to ensure that you have arrangements in place to protect against the possibility of this.

In the first instance, check with the club or organisers of the event to determine if they are providing a medical indemnity or insurance arrangement for you. If they are not, then please call our membership team on 0800 561 9000 to discuss your requirements with us.

Is there a limit on the level of indemnity you provide?

No – for our members with occurrence-based protection, we do not place limits on the indemnity that may be requested.

Q

Does my membership apply to Good Samaritan acts?

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17 June 2016

Yes. In the unlikely event that you are sued as a result of a Good Samaritan act, you can apply for assistance from Medical Protection, no matter where in the world the action is brought.

We consider that a response to the GoodSAM App, provided it is in accordance with the GoodSAM App code of conduct, falls within our definition of a Good Samaritan Act.

Q

What is the definition of a Good Samaritan act?

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17 June 2016

Medical Protection defines a Good Samaritan act as one in which medical assistance is given, free of charge, in a bona fide medical emergency upon which you may chance, in a personal as opposed to a professional capacity, eg, assisting a fellow spectator at an event.

For doctors, ignoring such a predicament is never an option. When called into action while off duty, you must remember to make a full clinical record after treatment. There will be millions of people at the Games and, in this scenario, you must assess your own competence in handling the situation – eg, you may be under the influence of alcohol – and proceed accordingly.

Only intervene if the situation is an emergency. Any situation that is beyond your competence may still benefit from your input, to a degree. For example, you can use your clinical skills to take a history, make an examination to reach a preliminary assessment, and give an indication of the likely differential diagnosis. You can also suggest options for the management of the situation pending arrival of support.

In the unlikely event that legal proceedings follow, members would be entitled to apply for assistance, no matter which country the legal proceedings are commenced in, which is important as many spectators will be drawn from around the world.

Q

Why do I need to join MPS?

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20 May 2016

All medical practitioners need access to professional indemnity to protect them from the pitfalls of practising.

Any doctor - from those in training up to the most experienced qualified doctor - may find themselves the subject of a complaint, investigation by the GMC, or disciplinary action by their employer. It is therefore essential that they have their own protection in place through membership of a specialist organisation such as MPS.

MPS membership can provide you with the support you need from your first day at medical school to the day you graduate, and throughout your career.

MPS helps doctors with the legal and ethical problems that arise from their professional practice. Members turn to us for help with a wide range of professional queries and problems. They get immediate access to advice from a team of doctors and lawyers who are specialists in the legal aspects of medicine. We provide:

Telephone advisory service available 24/7

Specialist legal advice and representation

Complaints handling service

Help with writing reports

Quality service for all members.

Remember, MPS is not only here for you when things go wrong. We have a whole host of educational benefits that will help and support you through your studies.

Q

How do I apply for membership with MPS?

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20 May 2016

Students can apply online for free MPS membership. All other doctors can access application forms from the Join MPS section of the website (see the "Join" button at the top of the page). Please ensure you read the important information at the bottom of the page before completing the application and returning it to the address shown at the top of the form.

The application must be completed in full and signed and dated within two months of your required membership start date.

Your application can be submitted by post, fax or email.

Q

What is MPS?

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20 May 2016

MPS is the world’s leading medical defence organisation, putting members first by providing professional support and expert medicolegal advice throughout their careers. We have more than 300,000 members worldwide.

MPS has been helping doctors who find themselves in medicolegal difficulties since 1892. We are here to help and support members when they need it. We work only for the benefit of our members, and have no external commercial or shareholder interests to distract us.

A recent survey of our members provided the following feedback:

“I have contacted MPS on a number of occasions for general advice and have always been very impressed by the services I received.”

“Very quick responses, clear advice and guidance, a sympathetic ear.”

“Speedy, efficient, courteous, knowledgeable – I have always been impressed by the MPS and my latest enquiry only strengthened my good opinion.”

Q

I will be taking a career break/going on maternity leave/retiring soon. How does this affect my membership?

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20 May 2016

Members who retire, take a career break or who otherwise stop practising medicine voluntarily - either temporarily or permanently (excluding holidays), can request to retain MPS membership in the retired/deferred category.

As a retired or deferred member with occurrence-based protection, you pay no subscription, still receive the MPS journal, Casebook, and our Annual Report and Accounts, and can apply for MPS assistance with any medicolegal problems arising from a “good Samaritan act”.

However, if you decide to leave MPS, then you will not be entitled to any assistance in relation to a good Samaritan act if the incident occurs after your membership has ended. You must also inform us before you resume practice, so that we can ensure you are placed in the correct category of membership.

Members with claims-made protection should contact us to find out how a break will affect their membership.

Q

I have lost my membership certificate. Do you charge for sending out a duplicate?

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01 October 2014

No. Give us a call on 0800 561 9000 and we will send you a replacement. Calls to Membership Services may be recorded for monitoring and training purposes.

What is NHS indemnity and what does it cover?

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01 October 2014

In England, the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST), administered by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA), provides an indemnity to NHS employees in respect of clinical negligence claims arising from events occurring in the context of NHS employment in England. It meets any damages and claimants’ costs which are found due, and legal defence costs. It may provide assistance at inquests/FAIs in some circumstances. Similar schemes operate in Scotland (CNORIS), Wales (WRP), and the Northern Ireland Office runs a risk pooling scheme.

Do I get a reduced subscription rate if I participate in MPS education?

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22 September 2014

No, not at present. MPS sets its subscription rates to reflect the risks of various groups of doctors who share similar characteristics – for example specialty groupings. Therefore, the rate you pay is set to reflect the level of potential risk.

At the present time the main benefits to the individual practitioner of engaging with our educational programs are:

Enhanced risk management skills

Improved patient outcomes

Reduced likelihood of involvement with claims or complaints and the associated stress, worry and inconvenience they bring.

Q

Can I do voluntary work overseas?

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17 September 2014

MPS may offer professional protection for volunteer doctors working for a recognised charity or humanitarian organisation. Please contact us as soon as possible on +44 113 243 6436 or email international@mps.org.uk if you intend to work in this capacity.

Q

Can I undertake cosmetic procedures?

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17 September 2014

MPS defines cosmetic/aesthetic procedures as those which have as their primary purpose the alteration of the non-pathological external appearance of a patient.

If you are not an accredited plastic surgeon and you are considering undertaking any cosmetic/aesthetic procedures, whether surgical or non-surgical, you must contact an MPS membership adviser to discuss your plans in advance.

Q

Does my membership renew automatically?

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17 September 2014

Yes, if you pay by direct debit.

That is one of the advantages of paying by direct debit - you are not at risk of any unintended gaps in your membership. However, you must contact us if your professional or personal circumstances or your contact details change.

If you pay by cheque or credit card, you will automatically receive renewal information. We will send you your membership certificate once we receive your payment.

To set up a direct debit, please contact one of our membership advisers.

Q

In addition to clinical negligence, will MPS assist with other liability arising from my practice?

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02 September 2014

Extended liability

MPS membership grants the right to request indemnity in relation to your own clinical practice. However, as an owner or partner in a practice you may be responsible for liability arising from other elements of the business, for example:

vicarious liability for the acts and omissions of other healthcare professionals or staff at your practice;

liability for products that are sold at your practice;

liability in relation to the safety of the practice environment; and

liability for non-clinical matters such as taxes and the performance of contracts entered into by or on behalf of your practice.

In addition, for practices structured as unlimited liability partnerships, partners are jointly and severally liable for actions brought against the partnership, so you may be liable for the actions or omissions of a fellow partner.

It is important to understand that the subscription for an individual MPS member is calculated on the basis of the risk represented by that member alone. In the interests of fairness across the membership as a whole, where you are exposed to additional liabilities (such as those listed above), you do not have the right request indemnity for matters beyond your own clinical practice, unless your membership grade is expressly extended to cover these. There are various additional packages that MPS offers, to help you manage some of the wider risk that you might face in the course of your practice:

UK GP Membership

Given the typical structure of general medical practices in the UK, we offer additional benefits in the GP membership category, including for solo practitioners and those practising in an unlimited partnership. It is likely that, in addition to the standard benefits of membership, UK GPs would be granted assistance with requests relating to claims of negligence against any of their employed non-clinical administrative staff (e.g. the practice manager, receptionists and secretaries), or in relation to clinical staff such as health care assistants, phlebotomists, and dispensers where it can be shown that such staff were acting under appropriately delegated authority and were adequately trained, supervised, working to practice protocols and not making ‘standalone’ clinical judgments.

GP practices (structured as unlimited liability partnerships) can enrol in the Practice Xtra programme, which provides discounted membership for other clinical staff, grants membership to certain employed staff in their own right, and gives a practice access to advice on employment law and health and safety, as well as to other risk management services.

Limited companies can apply to MPS for membership in their own right. Corporate membership can be tailored to the needs and risks of your business and (for example) can provide the company, and the officers of the company, with access to assistance and indemnity in respect of the defence and/or settlement of clinical negligence claims made against the company. Corporate members may also apply for assistance in dealing with complaints and managing adverse incidents arising from an employee’s clinical work, and liability-capped and claims-made options are also available.

I'm worried about something that's happened. Can I talk to MPS about it?

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02 September 2014

If you are concerned about any issue or incident which has occurred in your capacity as a doctor or other healthcare worker, we would encourage you to get in touch immediately to ask our advice. There is no stigma attached to seeking guidance or support, and we would rather you asked for help in time to avoid a problem instead of waiting and hoping for the best, only to find yourself in greater difficulties later.

Q

Will you still help me if I leave MPS?

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01 September 2014

Where you are eligible for MPS’s occurrence-based protection you can seek assistance for any complaint or claim arising from an adverse incident that took place during membership of MPS – even if it is brought years later, or if you have long since left MPS. Occurrence-based protection means you do not need to make any further arrangements for long-term protection after your membership ends.

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The Medical Protection Society Limited (MPS) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England with company number 36142 at Level 19, The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. MPS® and Medical Protection® are registered trademarks.